A Review of C4 Plants in Southwest Asia: An Ecological, Geographical and Taxonomical Analysis of a Region With High Diversity of C4 Eudicots

International audienceSouthwest Asia is climatically and topographically a highly diverse region in the xeric belt of the Old World. Its diversity of arid habitats and climatic conditions acted as an important area for the evolution and diversification of up to 20 (of 38 known) independent Eudicot C4 origins. Some of these lineages present unique evolutionary strategies like single-cell functioning C4 and C3–C4 switching mechanisms. The high diversity of C4 taxa in Southwest (SW) Asia is also related to the presence of seven phytogeographic zones including the Irano-Turanian region as a center of diversification of many Caryophyllales lineages and the Somali-Masai region (Southern Oman and Yemen) as a center of diversification for C4 Monocots. Nevertheless, the C4 flora of SW Asia has not received detailed attention. This paper presents a comprehensive review of all known C4 species in the area based on a literature survey, own floristic observations, as well as taxonomic, phylogenetic and herbarium data, and d13C-isotope ratio analysis. The resulting checklist includes a total number of 923 (861 native, of which 141 endemic, and 62 introduced) C4 species, composed of 350 Eudicots and 509 Monocots, most of which are therophytic and hemicryptophytic xerophytes with pluriregional and Irano-Turanian distribution. Two hundred thirty-nine new d13C-isotope ratios of C4 and C3 plants, as well as some taxonomic changes are presented. An analysis of the distribution of the three main C4 plant families (Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae, and Cyperaceae) in the region in relation to climatic variables indicates that the increase of C4 species follows more or less a latitudinal gradient similar to global patterns, while separate taxonomic groups seem to depend on specific factors as continentality (Chenopodiaceae), average annual temperature (Cyperaceae), and the presence of summer precipitation (Poaceae). An increase of C4 Eudicots in W-E direction even in similar longitudinal belts is explained by a combination of edaphic and climatic conditions. The provided data should encourage a deeper interest in the evolution of C4 lineages in SW Asia and their adaptation to ecological and climatical conditions and awaken interest in the importance of local C4 crops, the conservation of threatened C4 taxa, and awareness of human impacts on the rapid environmental changes in the region

Involvement of miRNAs in Placental Alterations Mediated by Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress (OS) is known to be strongly involved in a large number of fetal, neonatal, and adult diseases, including placental disorders, leading to pregnancy loss and stillbirths. A growing body of research links OS to preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, obesity, spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy, preterm labor, and intrauterine growth restriction. While a considerable number of miRNAs have been related to physiological functions and pathological conditions of the placenta, a direct link among these miRNAs, placental functions, and OS is still lacking. This review summarizes data describing the role of miRNAs in placental pathophysiological processes and their possible impact on OS damaging responses. As miRNAs can be found in circulation, improving our understanding on their role in the pathogenesis of pregnancy related disorders could have an important impact on the diagnosis and prognosis of these diseases

The In Vitro Activity of Angelica archangelica L. Essential Oil on Inflammation

The use of herbs with medicinal value and biomedical effects has increased tremendously in the last years. However, inadequate basic knowledge of their mode of action is the main issue related to phytotherapy, although they have shown promising potential. To provide insights into these important issues, we tested here on appropriate in vitro models the efficacy of Angelica archangelica essential oil (Aa-EO) for anti-inflammatory properties. The results demonstrated that Aa-EO induced significant apoptosis and necrosis at high doses in U937 cells. We used nontoxic concentrations to treat for anti-inflammatory capacity. The results also demonstrated a decreased proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 level in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, as senescence in vitro model, when cells are challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), one of the most powerful proinflammatory inducer in the presence of Aa-EO. In addition, down expression of miR-126 and miR-146a (inflammamirs) produced by LPS stimulation was reverted by Aa-EO simultaneous treatment. These results provide noteworthy basis for the development/formulation of new drugs for future clinical uses and new food products or dietary supplements for contrasting inflammation

Salvia x jamensis J. Compton: trichomes, essential oil constituents and cytotoxic-apoptotic activity

none8noSalvia x jamensis J. Compton is a hybrid between Salvia greggii A. Gray and Salvia microphylla Kunt. In this study, we describe three hair types identified by Scanning Electron Microscopy. In the essential oil of the aerial parts of S. jamensis 56 different compounds were identified. The two main constituents were β-caryophyllene (14.8%) and β-pinene (6.8%). Cytotoxic-apoptotic activity of S. x jamensis essential oil has been investigated by using U937 cell line. The essential oil EC50 for cell number and for cell apoptosis have been shown to be 360 and 320 µg mL(-1), respectively. Among the constituents of the oil examined, only β-caryophyllene, β-pinene and α-pinene displayed cytotoxic and apoptotic activities. For the first time, it has been demonstrated that some of the pure constituents identified within S. x jamensis essential oil are responsible for its cytotoxic-apoptotic activity when properly combined.restrictedDaniele Fraternale; Maria Cristina Albertini; Alexander Rudov; Guido Flamini; Donata Ricci; Angela Bisio; Michela Battistelli; Augusto AccorsiFraternale, Daniele; Albertini, MARIA CRISTINA; Alexander, Rudov; Guido, Flamini; Ricci, Donata; Angela, Bisio; Battistelli, Michela; Accorsi, August

Ecohydrological niche segregation among desert shrubs in a gypsum-calcareous formation, north-western Iran

[Background] Xerophilic subshrubs exhibit multiple functional types and frequently show hydrological niche segregation. In the poorly studied Irano-Turanian gypsum deserts, knowledge of the ecohydrological strategies of different plant species is essential to understand community complexity in these vulnerable ecosystems.[Aim] We studied the ecohydrological strategies of five co-existing subshrub members of Caryophyllales, ascertaining if their rooting architecture, gypsum affinity or photosynthetic pathway determined their water uptake, and if gypsum crystallisation water could be a relevant water source for plants in different seasons.[Methods] We conducted soil and xylem sampling for isotope analyses in spring and summer and extracted water by cryogenic vacuum distillation. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions were determined and compared with visual representation and Bayesian Mixing Models to determine species ecohydrological strategies.[Results] Species – season interactions were related to differences in xylem sap isotopic composition. Three basic strategies relying on contrasting the use of free topsoil moisture and deep soil water could be detected and were in part explained by rooting architecture. Plant gypsum affinity and photosynthetic pathways did not have a significant effect on the water sources used by the plants.[Conclusions] Ecohydrological niche segregation was explained partly by rooting architecture and species-specific traits. Gypsum crystallisation water was not used in summer by the studied species.The study was supported by grants from the Research Council and International Office, University of Tehran, the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Project H2020-MSCA-RISE-GYPWORLD GA No. 777803), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN, PID2019-111159GB-C31), and the Spanish Research Council (CSIC, I-COOPB20231). The postdoctoral fellowship of AS was founded by the National Elite Foundation. LdP and SP received funding from FSE (Fondo Social Europeo)-Aragón2014–2020 of the Gobierno de Aragón, Spain, and MICINN (RyC fellowship RYC-2013-14164), respectively. JPF was supported by the Reference Group H09_20R (Gobierno de Aragón, Spain).Peer reviewe

Putative miRNAs for the diagnosis of dyslexia, dyspraxia, and specific language impairment.

Disorders of human communication abilities are classifiable in speech (dyspraxia) and language (dyslexia, SLI) disorders. Speech disorders (e.g. Dyspraxia) affect the sound generation and sequencing, while language disorders (e.g. Dyslexia and Specific Language Impairment (SLI) are deficits in the encoding and decoding of language according to its rules (reading, spelling, grammar). The diagnosis of such disorders is often very complicated specially when a patient presents more than one disorder at the same time. The present review focuses on this problematic. We combined data available from literature with an in silico approach trying to identify putative miRNAs, that may have a key role in dyspraxia, dyslexia and SLI. We could obtain new miRNAs, that could have an important impact on the three diseases. Further we related those miRNAs to the Axon guidance pathway and discussed possible interactions and role of possibly deregulated proteins. In addition we described possible differences in expressional deregulation and its possible role on a betterment of diagnosis in the future. Concluding, we invite to experimental investigations of the data obtained in silico

Putative miRNAs for the diagnosis of dyslexia, dyspraxia, and specific language impairment

Disorders of human communication abilities are classifiable in speech (dyspraxia) and language (dyslexia, SLI) disorders. Speech disorders (e.g. Dyspraxia) affect the sound generation and sequencing, while language disorders (e.g. Dyslexia and Specific Language Impairment (SLI) are deficits in the encoding and decoding of language according to its rules (reading, spelling, grammar). The diagnosis of such disorders is often very complicated specially when a patient presents more than one disorder at the same time. The present review focuses on this problematic. We combined data available from literature with an in silico approach trying to identify putative miRNAs, that may have a key role in dyspraxia, dyslexia and SLI. We could obtain new miRNAs, that could have an important impact on the three diseases. Further we related those miRNAs to the Axon guidance pathway and discussed possible interactions and role of possibly deregulated proteins. In addition we described possible differences in expressional deregulation and its possible role on a betterment of diagnosis in the future. Concluding, we invite to experimental investigations of the data obtained in silico

Dietary Flaxseed Mitigates Impaired Skeletal Muscle Regeneration: in Vivo, in Vitro and in Silico Studies

International audienceBackground: Diets enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been shown to exert a positive impact on muscle diseases. Flaxseed is one of the richest sources of n-3 PUFA acid α-linolenic acid (ALA). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of flaxseed and ALA in models of skeletal muscle degeneration characterized by high levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF). Methods: The in vivo studies were carried out on dystrophic hamsters affected by muscle damage associated with high TNF plasma levels and fed with a long-term 30% flaxseed-supplemented diet. Differentiating C2C12 myoblasts treated with TNF and challenged with ALA represented the in vitro model. Skeletal muscle morphology was scrutinized by applying the Principal Component Analysis statistical method. Apoptosis, inflammation and myogenesis were analyzed by immunofluorescence. Finally, an in silico analysis was carried out to predict the possible pathways underlying the effects of n-3 PUFAs. Results: The flaxseed-enriched diet protected the dystrophic muscle from apoptosis and preserved muscle myogenesis by increasing the myogenin and alpha myosin heavy chain. Moreover, it restored the normal expression pattern of caveolin-3 thereby allowing protein retention at the sarcolemma. ALA reduced TNF-induced apoptosis in differentiating myoblasts and prevented the TNF-induced inhibition of myogenesis, as demonstrated by the increased expression of myogenin, myosin heavy chain and caveolin-3, while promoting myotube fusion. The in silico investigation revealed that FAK pathways may play a central role in the protective effects of ALA on myogenesis. Conclusions: These findings indicate that flaxseed may exert potent beneficial effects by preserving skeletal muscle regeneration and homeostasis partly through an ALA-mediated action. Thus, dietary flaxseed and ALA may serve as a useful strategy for treating patients with muscle dystrophies

From Oxidative Stress Damage to Pathways, Networks, and Autophagy via MicroRNAs

Oxidative stress can alter the expression level of many microRNAs (miRNAs), but how these changes are integrated and related to oxidative stress responses is poorly understood. In this article, we addressed this question by using in silico tools. We reviewed the literature for miRNAs whose expression is altered upon oxidative stress damage and used them in combination with various databases and software to predict common gene targets of oxidative stress-modulated miRNAs and affected pathways. Furthermore, we identified miRNAs that simultaneously target the predicted oxidative stress-modulated miRNA gene targets. This generated a list of novel candidate miRNAs potentially involved in oxidative stress responses. By literature search and grouping of pathways and cellular responses, we could classify these candidate miRNAs and their targets into a larger scheme related to oxidative stress responses. To further exemplify the potential of our approach in free radical research, we used our explorative tools in combination with ingenuity pathway analysis to successfully identify new candidate miRNAs involved in the ubiquitination process, a master regulator of cellular responses to oxidative stress and proteostasis. Lastly, we demonstrate that our approach may also be useful to identify novel candidate connections between oxidative stress-related miRNAs and autophagy. In summary, our results indicate novel and important aspects with regard to the integrated biological roles of oxidative stress-modulated miRNAs and demonstrate how this type of in silico approach can be useful as a starting point to generate hypotheses and guide further research on the interrelation between miRNA-based gene regulation, oxidative stress signaling pathways, and autophagy